ELECTION CENTRAL 2013: Worth Township Board

Voters in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, Alsip, Blue Island, Chicago Ridge, Worth, Crestwood, Merrionette Park, Hometown, Bridgeview and Robbins will be casting votes for eight seats on the Worth Township Board.

Worth Township is roughly bounded by Western on the east, Harlem on the west, 87th Street to the north, and 135th Street to the south.

While some argue that townships are archaic relics of the past, originally established to connect far flung communities in rural areas to the county seat, today's township provides social services to youth, seniors and the disadvantaged, as well as oversees roads in unincorporated areas.

Two slates are vying for seats on the Worth Township Board, which include the incumbents' United Party of Worth Township, and the challengers' Worth Township Community First. Voters may vote for an entire slate or split their votes across the two.

Up for renewal are:

• Town Supervisor
• Town Assessor
• Town Clerk
• Highway Commissioner
• and four at-large town trustees

Candidate Bios:

Town Supervisor:

John "Jack" Murphy (incumbent, United Party of Worth Township)

Kevin Hughes (challenger, Worth Township Community First)

Town Assessor:

John Toscas (incumbent, United Party of Worth Township)

John Dietrick (challenger, Worth Township Community First)

Town Clerk:

Roger Benson (incumbent, United Party of Worth Township)

Katie Elwood (challenger, Worth Township Community First)

Highway Commissioner:

Steve Loulousis (incumbent, United Party of Worth Township)

Edward Moody (challenger, Worth Township Community First)

United Party of Worth Township Trustee Candidates:

John "Jack" Lind (incumbent)

David Walsh (incumbent)

Michael Mahoney (incumbent)

Kelly Houlihan (incumbent)

Worth Township Community First Trustee Candidates:

Patrick Hanlon

Eamon McMahon

Richard Lewandowski

Theresa Roche

THE 'MUST-READ' STORIES:

• Worth Township Clerk Thomas "Bud" Gavin Dies at 87
• Slates Battle for Worth Township Seats (Jan. 21, 2013)
• Worth Township Denies Freedom of Information Request Seeking 102 Documents (March 11,2013)